title: [Differentiation between mild cognitive impairment and healthy elderly population using neuropsychological tests].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Paired Associates Learning (PAL) test assesses brain functions in those brain regions affected earliest by Alzheimer's dementia. The aim of the present study was to assess the usability of our implementation of the PAL test for screening mild cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on Petersen criteria, 14 out of the 63 subjects were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Visuospatial learning was assessed by our implementation of PAL test. The ability of the PAL test to differentiate between study groups was compared to the Addenbrook Cognitive Examination (ACE) and to the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear logistic regression was used for statistical analysis, and the results are presented as Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves. All analyses were performed by SAS 9.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the results of neuropsychological tests differed significantly between the study groups. However, considerable difference could be detected between the tests regarding specificity and sensitivity. The PAL test reached the sensitivity of the ACE, while its specificity was slightly under the ACE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PAL test developed in the framework of the present study is found to be able to differentiate between MCI and healthy controls. It outperformed the MMSE in terms of sensitivity and specificity, while it needs comparable time to perform. Its sensitivity, the important parameter for screening, is comparable to ACE, while it needs significantly shorter time and less assistance.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Klinika, Budapest, Hungary. esiraly@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enikő
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sirály
authors.forename: Bernadett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szita
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: Éva
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Csibri
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hidasi
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salacz
authors.forename: Ádam
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maros
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanák
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pataki
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Csukly
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001245:Association Learning; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013028:Space Perception; D014796:Visual Perception